We all need to take care of our health, and there are instances when we seek emergency care. When we hear these two words, there is a certain amount of fear surrounding the idea of being an “emergency.” People need to understand further what it means to require emergency care. The 2015 Chicago Emergency Care Symposium sheds light the five stages of emergency care.

Five Stages Of Emergency Care:

Triage

Triage is the first stage of emergency care where the severity of a patient’s condition is determined. It helps to identify who needs immediate treatment. That is the reason why there are times some patients receive medical attention first even if they arrived later than everyone else.

Priority Level

Level 1: Resuscitation (immediate life-saving intervention)

Level 2: Emergency

Level 3: Urgent

Level 4: Semi-urgent

Level 5: Non-urgent.

Registration

The second process once you arrive is registration. It allows the emergency healthcare team to gather information about the patient including medical history which is required for precautions and consent for treatment.

Treatment

The nurse may administer intravenous (IV) line to allow for administering medications or fluids required by the physician. Blood or urine tests may also be necessary as well as an X-ray or other imaging tests depending on the case.

Reevaluation

The emergency care physician will reevaluate your condition, and based on the results of your tests; you will receive treatment accordingly.

Discharge

The goal of the emergency care team is to make sure that you leave the facility in the best condition as its primary objective is to address the life-threatening situation, pain, or any discomfort the patient is in. The team must clear patients before discharge.

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Sometimes, patients in the emergency room become exasperated. They tend to think that they are made to wait for more than they should and that the essence of being an “emergency” is ignored. However, there are specific stages that the emergency care team need to follow to implement the order and proper provision of treatment.